MPCA offers

plan on

lower

Minnesota

River

Comments from public sought

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking public comment on a piece of its plan to reduce pollution caused by phosphorus in the lower 22 miles of the Minnesota River during low-flow conditions.

The federal Clean Water Act requires states to access all lakes and streams to determine if they meet federal water-quality standards, make a list of impairments and develop plans to restore them to required standards.

Generally, lakes and streams must meet a "fishable and swimmable" standard.

Scientists determine the maximum amount of specific pollutants a water body can handle and still meet standards, aka "total maximum daily load (TMDL).

In the Lower Minnesota River Dissolved Oxygen project, the phosphorus TMDL is about 768 pounds per day during the low-flow months of August and September. The river's current level is 1,240 pounds per day.

An MPCA advisory committee worked on a phosphorus source study in the lower 22 miles of the river, from near Shakopee to its confluence with the Mississippi. Many of the phosphorus sources in that area are upriver in the greater Minnesota River Basin, according to a March 3, 2004 MPCA news release.

The advisory committee attributed phosphorus levels to non-point sources (75%) and point sources (25%).

Most non-point source phosphorus comes from cropland and pasture runoff (48.3%). Other non-point sources included agricultural tile drainage (11.3%), atmospheric deposition (7.2%) and urban runoff (6.1%).

Most point source phosphorus comes from commercial/industrial process water (58.3%) and human waste--sewage treatment systems (22.9%).

Municipal wastewater creates most of the phosphorus that feeds algae growth in the lower Minnesota River in the late summer months, the news release said. As algae die and decompose, the process uses dissolved oxygen, causing parts of the river to be impaired.

The MPCA's recommends the Legislature approve funding for upgrading septic systems and planting more grass and trees along rivers like CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) to ease the phosphorus problem in state rivers and lakes.

Other recommendations include:

* More programs like CREP that pay farmers to retire cropland and plant trees or grass near rivers and lakes.

* Improving crop management with no-til planting, cover crops and tree shelter belts.

* Injecting manure into soil to prevent runoff.

* Pressure and excise fees on industries to encourage pre-treatment and recycling at plants; using non-phosphorus detergent; and reducing garbage disposal use.

Scott Sparlin of New Ulm, the Executive Director of the Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River, said the key is implementing strategies to reduce pollution.

"We've known for quite some time how to reduce phosphorus," Sparlin said. "What we need is the fortitude to follow through with the plans."

Strategies put into action last year by the CCMR and state agencies included collecting grass clippings and properly disposing of them in Gaylord and Henderson. Sparlin said the groups hope to convince more communities and the general public to follow the lead of those two communities.

The project's next phase will develop an implementation plan to achieve assigned phosphorus allocations.

The draft report can be found at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/basins/mnriver/mnriver-tmdl.

Comments can be submitted through March 18 to Larry Gunderson, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road North. St. Paul, MN 55155-4194; 1-800-657-3864, e-mail larry.gunderson@pca.state.mn.us